Another swing and miss! (1 Viewer)

[mcgaskins]

I've been looking off and on for a 200 for a long time. Most recently I bought a ticket to Vegas to buy one that I found out the last minute had lots of rodent damage (Potential issue with 200 looking to buy), and I was pretty disappointed on this one too (For Sale: - 200 Series in Denver - Warning!). It seems like virtually every 200 I've seen is overpriced and trashed which is pretty surprising since it seemed much easier to find a clean 100 back when I bought mine.

Today I went to look at a 2015 with 43k miles for $56.5k which seems to be a great price (2015 Toyota Land Cruiser Lakewood by Denver CO - Emich Chevrolet JTMHY7AJ9F4031101). I looked everywhere for the Carfax (ad says "clean history report"), emailed them for the Carfax, texted for the Carfax, but they couldn't produce it until I actually got there. I said I wanted to see the report before I looked at the 200, and sure enough a red flag. The first registration showed it was used as a rental! I wondered how it could have 43k miles in about 11 months, and that use definitely makes sense now.

The overall condition was just OK, but it looked like it had about 3-4 years of use as opposed to one which isn't surprising. Many of the perforated holes in the leather were gummed up which is gross, and the shifter was really dirty. I also noticed paint overspray under the front and rear bumpers - pic below. I asked if it had any body work done, and they said they repaired a scratch on the rear bumper and that was it. Obviously they're either mistaken or lying, and although a paint repair doesn't bug me a coverup does. The truck actually drove quite well, but I have a hard time knowing it was probably beat on as a rental.

I've bought a lot of cars and bikes, but I have never had such a difficult time finding a clean history, rust free, no stories vehicle for a decent price than I have with the 200 search. The vast majority I've looked at are beat to hell for a decent price or exorbitantly overpriced for a clean example.

 

[mcgaskins]

I guess I forgot to pose my thought/question - a rental history should disqualify it from consideration right? I buy and sell cars frequently, probably more frequently than anyone I've met, so a clean Carfax with nothing weird is a huge priority for me. Even though I think this example is a decent deal from a blue book perspective, I doubt 2 years from now when I'm bored again it will be as valuable as a "no stories" truck. If I was the kind of person who keeps vehicles for 10 years, I'd probably care a lot less about the history.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I can't speak for the rental history of that particular 200. I used one at our local regional airport rental place a few times for various things.. It had 23k on it and still drove like new and smelled new. It was used by executives of the mines and oil and gas companies that flew in to go check on things from time to time. I told them I'd like to buy it whenever it went on the block to be released. They said they only kept luxury vehicles for 30K miles and they were serviced by the local dealers ONLY.

The guy even showed me all the service records on the 200 from the local dealer and I confirmed everything with the dealer (buddy of mine).

I would have bought that rig in a heartbeat from the rental company compared to most other independent sellers out there. IMO, it depends on the vehicle, the maintenance performed and the actual records. I'd be cautious but not rule one out.

I called about 3-4 weeks ago and they sold it early at auction in Salt Lake due to the energy sectors around here being so slow and the 200 hadn't been rented since the last time I rented it in Sept. It was a 2015 with 23,656 miles and sold for 54,700.00

J

 

[mcgaskins]

Thanks for that helpful data point! 23k miles for $54.7k with maintenance done sounds like a great deal. I didn't see any real service history on the Carfax on this one, but that doesn't mean it wasn't done necessarily. There is a built one locally I checked out a month ago where the seller pulled it off the market, but he is relisting it now which means that one is back in the running. The only downside is that it's a private party deal so I'd lose the tax advantage of trading in my car. With the value of my trade against the truck above I'd only be paying tax on about $5k as opposed to the full purchase price, and my tax rate is 7.65% which equates to quite a bit on a $55-60k purchase :/

 

[krice118]

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5914143647.html

Have you seen this one?

I know this doesnt help your private party predicament

 

[mcgaskins]

Yes that's exactly the one I looked at last month. He posted it, I looked at it, and he pulled down the listing to wait for his new truck to arrive. We've been texting this weekend about it, and I'm trying to work a deal right now with him. The local Porsche dealer wants to buy my car, and we're trying to hammer out a good deal so I can use those funds to buy that built 200. We shall see if this is finally the right one!

 

[Markuson]

Yes that's exactly the one I looked at last month. He posted it, I looked at it, and he pulled down the listing to wait for his new truck to arrive. We've been texting this weekend about it, and I'm trying to work a deal right now with him. The local Porsche dealer wants to buy my car, and we're trying to hammer out a good deal so I can use those funds to buy that built 200. We shall see if this is finally the right one!

That biilt 200 is a STEAL. Those are first rate mods done right by Slee. They look brand new and without abuse.

If those are mods you would have chosen...think of the price of the truck minus the mod cost and you've got one AMAZING price on that thing.

 

[Canyonero]

That bit 200 is a STEAL. Those are first rate mods done right by Slee. They look brand new and without abuse.

If those are mods you would have chosen...think of the price of the truck minus the mod cost and you've got one AMAZING price on that thing.

Agreed. Seems like a clean truck from what I can see and basically free mods...

Those wheels though!

 

[Yossarian]

X3 on that 200, wow.

 

[RS6tofj80]

Nice clean looking 200 - but that's not 25k in mods..... perhaps half that unless there's a lot he didn't mention..... but certainly nice to have had Slee be the one who installed that stuff and I'd imagine it's maintained well.

good luck in the hunt !

 

[Markuson]

Nice clean looking 200 - but that's not 25k in mods..... perhaps half that unless there's a lot he didn't mention..... but certainly nice to have had Slee be the one who installed that stuff and I'd imagine it's maintained well.

good luck in the hunt !

I just did the math with guesses at installation, and I got to al little over $13k in mods including install.
Maybe $14k if I guessed low on installation costs.
The winch alone is close to $2k with tax with synthetic line...

So... Assuming you WANT all of those mods, that's like $44k for a 2014 with just 31k miles.
That's a great deal.

If there are unlisted mods? It gets better. But that's a great deal.

 

[mcgaskins]

I just did the math with guesses at installation, and I got to al little over #13k.
Maybe $14k if I guessed low on installation costs.
The winch alone is close to $2k with tax with synthetic line...

So... Assuming you WANT all of those mods, that's like $44k for a 2014 with just 31k miles.
That's a great deal.

If there are unlisted mods? It gets better. But that's a great deal.

I came up with a similar estimate on the mods cost. When I looked at it last month I noticed it doesn't have sliders, skids, lockers, gears, drawers, etc., but I do like the ARB front/rear bumpers (though I'd rather have one with the option to add a swingout to the rear which this one does not allow) and the Warn winch. I'm indifferent on the rack even though it is a nice one because I would have added a Gamiviti. It could be a good thing it doesn't have skids and sliders because that means it probably wasn't wheeled much, but I would definitely add those immediately along with ARB rear drawers most likely.

To be honest I would much rather buy one that's been built well than a stock one because I have a tendency to modify everything I own which usually means I lose money on the mods when I go to sell. I ran the Carfax on this 200, and it has already had 2 owners which isn't a deal breaker because it's clean otherwise. I'll find out tomorrow if the Porsche dealer will come up a little on my Macan, and then I'll meet up with the seller to see if we can make a deal.

 

[Markuson]

I came up with a similar estimate on the mods cost. When I looked at it last month I noticed it doesn't have sliders, skids, lockers, gears, drawers, etc., but I do like the ARB front/rear bumpers (though I'd rather have one with the option to add a swingout to the rear which this one does not allow) and the Warn winch. I'm indifferent on the rack even though it is a nice one because I would have added a Gamiviti. It could be a good thing it doesn't have skids and sliders because that means it probably wasn't wheeled much, but I would definitely add those immediately along with ARB rear drawers most likely.

To be honest I would much rather buy one that's been built well than a stock one because I have a tendency to modify everything I own which usually means I lose money on the mods when I go to sell. I ran the Carfax on this 200, and it has already had 2 owners which isn't a deal breaker because it's clean otherwise. I'll find out tomorrow if the Porsche dealer will come up a little on my Macan, and then I'll meet up with the seller to see if we can make a deal.

My thought exactly. I like the mods except for the rear bumper. Swing-out bumper is a must for me. I like that it super-secures my drawers (you can lock the swing-out)... Removes the low-hanging spare and allows 35's, carries gas, and offers better departure along with strength when you depart violently.

The roof rack is super solid, but I would prefer a lower profile too. I'm with you on drawers and sliders. Sliders are like a first mod beyond wheels/tires and drawers are just plain awesome no matter what.

 

[mcgaskins]

My thought exactly. I like the mods except for the rear bumper. Swing-out bumper is a must for me. I like that it super-secures my drawers (you can lock the swing-out)... Removes the low-hanging spare and allows 35's, carries gas, and offers better departure along with strength when you depart violently.

The roof rack is super solid, but I would prefer a lower profile too. I'm with you on drawers and sliders. Sliders are like a first mod beyond wheels/tires and drawers are just plain awesome no matter what.

Agree 100%. When I bought my 100, I literally picked it up from the guys house and dropped it off at Discount for 33" Duratracs, then I pulled the running boards and added sliders My only regret with the 100 was not building it up exactly how I wanted it until just before I sold it. I had it for almost 3 years (that is an eternity for me - I rarely keep a vehicle past 1 year), but I didn't have it fully built until it was the busy at work then I sold it thinking I would try building a J**p for the more extreme stuff. I built a JKUR with 37s and everything I could ever want, but it wasn't refined or comfortable enough as a daily driver like the 100 was. I also quickly realized that once I had 37s and front/rear lockers/gears, I was tempted to and was doing stuff that meant damage was extremely likely which increased the stress and reduced the fun factor. I'm looking to get back into a comfy daily driver, weekend warrior, safe and reliable all around vehicle which the 200 fits all criteria. It's just been frustrating that it's been so tough to find one that ticks all the boxes while also being a good deal. I guess that comes with the territory of being a low volume, high demand, high resale value vehicle which ends up being a plus once you have the keys and title!

 

[blatant]

Land Cruisers have a deliberate long term service life and therefore should find themselves in the hands of a loving, long term owner. There is something to be said about checking the milestone boxes and having temporal knowledge of a vehicle. Keep the new/new to you 200 you're toiling so hard to find (b/c they are hard to get) Swap in and out the lesser / perceived lesser vehicles/ moto's or whatever, to scratch your itch. Good Luck on the quest.

 

[Romer]

FWIW mine was a fleet unit which could have been a rental or something else. It was in great shape and I haven't regretted it

It would depend on the condition of the vehicle to me

 

[Romer]

Yes that's exactly the one I looked at last month. He posted it, I looked at it, and he pulled down the listing to wait for his new truck to arrive. We've been texting this weekend about it, and I'm trying to work a deal right now with him. The local Porsche dealer wants to buy my car, and we're trying to hammer out a good deal so I can use those funds to buy that built 200. We shall see if this is finally the right one!

Thats a great deal!

 

[linuxgod]

I guess I forgot to pose my thought/question - a rental history should disqualify it from consideration right? I buy and sell cars frequently, probably more frequently than anyone I've met, so a clean Carfax with nothing weird is a huge priority for me. Even though I think this example is a decent deal from a blue book perspective, I doubt 2 years from now when I'm bored again it will be as valuable as a "no stories" truck. If I was the kind of person who keeps vehicles for 10 years, I'd probably care a lot less about the history.

That's up to you.

Economically speaking, having a history as a rental car will reduce the resale value somewhat. If you get a "deal" on the price then economically-speaking it could be fine. My last vehicle was a 2008 Acura MDX, which we bought in 2009 with 11k miles. It was the dealer service loaner. We traded it in for the LC but IMO the vehicle had held up just fine during its 8 years of use. 40k miles seems like a lot of renting out though.

Rentals routinely get scuffed up, particularly the bumpers. The overspray on the bumper makes me highly suspect touch-up. If it had been in an accident, even a few mph, the plastic bumper would have been trashed and when replaced the body shop would have likely painted it off the vehicle before replacing.

If you're only going to keep the vehicle a few years, I doubt the fact that it was a rental will be a big deal (either this vehicle or another one). Just get a sufficiently good price that when you resell it later you won't take any more depreciation than anyone else. I would be more concerned if you were going to try and drive the truck 300k miles, where a rental that got beat on might be more likely to have mechanical issues somewhere over 100k miles.

 

[PIPA]

One of you all get that ride in Boulder?

 

[Bloomer]

One of you all get that ride in Boulder?

Please!